Summer School Tokyo - Ochanomizu

Summer School Programme at the Ochanomizu Summer School (Tokyo) - Summer 2026

Field report - International Summer School "Ocha Summer Programme for Global Leaders 2023" in Tokyo

Pictures: Christian Locatelli, Eric Walter, Alexandra Katsnelson

I really enjoyed my time at Ochanomizu University in Japan. Japan itself is extremely overwhelming, especially the metropolis of Tokyo: everything around you is so colourful and lively. You don't have to be afraid of not finding your way in this new world, because Ochanomizu University gave us a very good introduction. We used the pick-up service and were immediately shown how to find our way around Japan; we were also given a ticket for local public transport (IC card). The university students also organised many exciting events: At the welcome event, we were given a guided tour of the campus in the form of a station run. We also took part in a sushi workshop and a yukata event ...

"All these events were very well organised. Partner universities from many other countries also take part in the summer school - not just from Germany. As a result, I had a very diverse cultural mix among my fellow students. As a result, I not only gained insights into Japan, but also into Korean, Taiwanese, British and Italian culture ..."

 

"I can highly recommend participation in the Summer School to anyone interested in Japanese culture and cultural exchange! I will never forget my time there. I'm already planning to visit Japan again and can't wait to go back.
My tips for future participants: If you want to see and explore a lot of Japan, you should arrive a few days earlier or stay a few days longer. Lectures and homework don't leave a lot of free time. So it's worth planning a few extra days for sightseeing."

 

... "I really had an incredibly great time in Japan at Ochanomizu University. I was able to broaden my horizons enormously and learnt a lot about Japan, its history and its language from both my buddy student and my international group. We had enough free time to discover Tokyo, but also to make new friends. I had three incredibly nice, albeit quite warm weeks in Tokyo ... I can only recommend travelling to Japan at least once in your life - I have never met so many nice and great people (even in everyday life) as I did there. My time in Japan did me a lot of good, both for my soul and for my personal development. I am already planning my next trip to Japan to see all these wonderful people again."

 

"The programme exceeded my expectations by far! From the very first day, I noticed how much effort and work the organisers and, above all, the students had put in.
This began as soon as we arrived at the airport, where we were picked up by students from the university and accompanied to our hotel. There, each of us also received a metro card with a small starting credit.
On the day of the introductory event, we were also picked up at the hotel and taken to the university so that everyone could arrive on time. The introductory event included music performances, martial arts, a tour of the campus and various games, so that the group could get to know each other better straight away and we got our first impressions of the culture. During the programme, there were usually events in the afternoon to get in touch with the culture and get to know the university students at the same time.
On another day, we cooked maki sushi together with Japanese students from Ochanomizu University and exchanged ideas about traditional food in our respective countries. In the second week, there was also a student exchange where we visited a junior high school.
Overall, I can say that I really enjoyed every single event and really appreciated how much effort the students put in. I would therefore advise everyone to take part in every event on offer, even if it may sound a little unusual at first.
I did something every day with people from the programme and we were able to talk about cultural and social aspects of our countries, but also about life itself.
I got to know new perspectives and for the first time consciously dealt with what it means to be German and how other countries perceive Germany. Thanks to the many conversations, I definitely live a slightly different life in Germany now than I did before the programme. I now have many Japanese and international friends with whom I am still in contact and hope to see them again soon."

 

"Tokyo as a city with its diversity and seemingly endless possibilities will forever have a place in my heart, and I dream of spending at least part of my life there.
I will now try to return to Japan as soon as possible. I have already asked one of my professors if there is a possibility to do an internship for my bachelor thesis in Japan. I will also spend at least a whole year abroad during my Master's programme and I am even thinking about applying for a Master's programme in Japan."

 

... "For me, the stay was an absolute dream, everything worked perfectly in terms of organisation.
I made contacts for life and had incredibly important experiences that I will probably remember for a very long time. The programme has left a lasting impression on me and, above all, I have discovered a great affinity for Japan and Tokyo.
I am very happy to have taken part. I only wish the programme had lasted longer!"

 

... "My stay at Ochanomizu University was a special and unforgettable experience. I made new friends, both at the partner university and beyond. This gave me the opportunity to get to know not only Japan and the city of Tokyo, but also the cultures of other exchange students.
Despite the heat at this time of year, the summer programme was a unique time that I can only recommend to everyone."